Mold filling apparatus



March 14, 1944. w E, s, S31-Rom;y 2,343,938

A MOLD FILLING APPARATUS l Filed Jan. 29. 1940 EISheetsg-Sheet 1 March 14, 1944. w. E s, STRONG 2,343,938v

MOLD BILLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1940 3 ShSBtSfShSQt 2 Tick@ lfb-4 21|/v l5." 4 l A h' lNvENToR WH om E5. Srrong HIS A ORNEY March 14, 1944. w. E. s. STRONG MOLD FILLING APPARATUS Filed Jam.4 29, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \IV\|| mESTrong Hl: A CSRNEYv f Patented Mar'. 14, 1944 PATENT OFFICE 2,343,938 Morin FILLING APPARATUS William E. s. streng, New-York, N. r., assigner to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 29, 1940, Serial No. 316,220

2 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring and distributing apparatus, and particularly to measuring and distributing apparatus designed to operate upon a cementitious mixture.

In my United States Patent No. 2,193,847, issued March 19, 1940, and entitled Method of producing molded concrete products and apparatus therefor, there is disclosed a methodV of molding a concrete shell for use as a component element in a composite insulated structural unit, by subjecting a plastic cementitious mixture to combined jarring and compression Within the confies of ai mold box and forming cover. In this connection, it has been found very advantageous toA deposit a predetermined quantity of the cementitious mix in the mold box in approximately the 4configuration of the desired molded product, prior to the application of the forming cover. The apparatus of the present Vinvention is designed especially for this purpose, but may alsol find application in a great many other circumstances demanding similar functional characteristics.

'A primary object of the invention, then, is to provide apparatus capable of depositing a predetermined quantity of a plastic cementitious mixture in a mold box, or other appropriate receiving receptacle, according to a predetermined configuration.

An object is to provide apparatus as above which is relatively simple in construction and operation, and which may be economically employed for the purpose.

A feature of the invention resides in an arrangement of measuring mechanism'which discharges, almost instantly, a predetermined quantity vof the ready mixed cementitious material over' substantially the complete open area of a mold box or other receiving receptacle, in combination with an arrangement of baiilesA for diverting selected portions of the descending material to predetermined positions in the mold box.

The cementitious mixture operated upon must be of a suitableVshape-retaining consistency. It must be suiiciently moist to be substantially free from danger of disturbance by air currents, but must not be so wet as to iiow after deposit. Preferably the mixture' is moist Without being suciently so to adhere together in a plastic mass until after it has been subjected to molding pressure.

- While the apparatus was developed primarily for use with cementitious mixtures, it may be employed to advantage With other materials and mixtures possessing similar characteristics.

Cil

20,. measuring chamber;

50. y The measuring chamber 1.o; Fig. 3 represents an enlarged fragmentary detail View, in side elevation, of that portion of the apparatus which includes the distributing baiiles, and which is illustrated in vertical section in the lower part of Fig. 1;

` Figs represents a front elevation, partly in vertical section, of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 represents a top-plan view of the apparatus, the upper gates being open forthe discharge of material from the hopper into the Fig. 6 represents a horizontal section taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 4;

. Fig. '7 represents a top plan view of the mold box immediately following a complete operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1;and

f Fig. 8 represents a detail View in vertical section of one ofthe air cylinders of the apparatus, complete with compressed air supply and exhaust piping. l

The preferred form of apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises, in its essentials, a hopper IIJ, a measuring `chamber I I, a distributing chute I2, and diversion baffles I3. n The material operatedupon drops in succes- V sive quantities from the hopper I0 to the measuring chamber I I, from where it is released, practically as a unit, drops down through the distributing chute past the diversion baffles I3, and comes to rest as a deposit of predetermined con- 40 figuration extending-over substantially the entire length and breadth of the'open mold box, or other receptacle, into which it falls.

The hopper Il) is preferably formed by a boxlike structure having substantially vertical walls for preventing arching of the material therein.

It may be of sheetsteel construction with an upper section I4 secured to a lower main section I5 by. means of an angle-,iron -joinder, as

at I6.' v

II is iormedin the main section I5 by means of retractable gates, hereinafter described, and the upper portion of the distributing chute I2.is formed by the lower portion of main section I5. vrlhe distributing. chute I2 is relatively long, orl-highQso that the released material which falls freely therethrough under the influence of gravity will gain momentum for insuring proper distribution thereof by means of diversion baiiles disposed at the lower end of the chute.

The diversion baiiles I3 preferably include an upper set of baiiies i3d and a lower set of bailies ISD. The individual baiiles of the upper set I3a aresecured in a box-like section II,fwhich is secured to the lower end of main section I5 by an angle-iron joinder, as at I8. The individual baffles of the lower set I3bl are secured within a similar box-like section I9 which is secured to the lower end of section Il, as by the angleironl joinder 20. The lower end section IllY is open, and forms the discharge end of distribut-V ing chute I2.

In the construction of the measuring charnber I I it is important that provision be made for successive fillings thereof, rapidly and completely, from the hopper I0, and that provision be made for the discharge of the measured material therefrom, substantially as a unit, over substantially the complete horizontal sectional area of the distributing chute to insure proper distribution and diversion of the measured material as it is deposited Vin the mold box 2l, or some other suitable receptacle.

It should be noted in this connection that it is structurallyadvantageous that the horizonal sectional areas of the measuring chamber I I, distributing chute I2, and openy mold box 2| be made equal and uniform'throughout.

Functioning as material discharge valves'v or controls, retractable gate mechanism has been found to give highl-ysatisfactory results both as the dump-type bottom of the hopper I and, as such, the top of the measuring chamber I I, and as the dump-type bottom of themeasuring chamber II.

An upper set 22 ofoppositely retractablel individual gates 22-I and 22-2 is4 provided intermediate the upper and lower ends of main section I to form the dump-type bottom' of the hopper I0. The individual gates extend through and operate within suitable horizontal slots provided in opposite Walls of the section.

A lower set 23 of oppositely retractable individual gates 23-I and 23-2 is spaced apart below the set 22r a distance determining the depth of the measuring chamber Il, and forms-the dump-type bottom thereof. The' individual gates of the ylower set likewise extend' tlc-roughV and operate within 4 suitable horizontal slots `provided in opposite walls ofthe section. i

It is essentialA that the lower gates 2'3-I and 23--2 be made to retract from closed position to open position rapidly inorder to obtain the desired character of discharge of the material into the distributing chute.v It is desirablethat all the gates move rapidly from closed toY open positions and vice versa for insuring rapid sequential production of units.

For this purpose, compressed air adopted as the motivating medium. VAt opposite n lateral sides of each of the individual gates of Vthe sets 22 and 23 are secured air cylinders, see

the air cylinders'24 of the set 22 of retractablev gates and the arrcyimders 25 of the sa 2-3 `of retractable gates, Fig rvl5, Y

lateral supporting elements 2i;Vv receive the gatesVV at their bottom edges, securement being accom-V plished by Vsuitable, means,` such as screws, see'l 21, Fig. 2, and receive the air cylinders at their outer broad faces, securement being had by suitable means such as screws, see 28, Fig. 1. In attaching air cylinders 25 tc the respective gates 23-I and 23-2 of the set 23, similar lateral supporting elements 29 receive the gates at their top edges, and, as is the case with frame elements 26, receive the air cylinders at their outer broad faces.

The box-like sections, joined together as de- A scribed, are supported in such manner that a mold box, or other suitable receiving receptacle, rmay be .placed thereunder and removed during the operation of the apparatus. A structural steelV frame-work may be employed to advantage for this purpose.. As illustrated, corner posts,

' such as the structural steel channels 3D, rise from has been (lli4 suitablev foundation means such as a concrete Vor other type floor, and are secured thereto, as

by means of thebolted angle plates 3l. Frame cross members 32 extend between adjacent corner posts, and frame cross members 33 extend between cross members 32 intermediate the corner` posts. Two opposite walls of box section I5 are secured in any suitable manner, as by riveting or spot welding, to the frame cross members 33. Fig. 4; Additional frame cross members 34 are secured to the remaining two opposite walls of box section I5', and have frame members .35 secured at and depending from their ends.

Against the outside face of each of these two opposite walls of boxsection I5 which are slotted to accommodate the setsv of retractable. gates, and along the margins ofthe slotsl thereof, are secured an upper. rectangular reinforcing piece 36 and a lowerV rectangular reinforcing piece 31. Thenreinforcing pieces are provided with outwardly extending. peripheral flanges 35a and 31a., respectively.

Against theoutside face of each of these two opposite lateral sides of. the box sections which coincide with the lateral edges, of the retractable gates, are attached upper and lower supporting frame elements. 3i!4 and 39, respectively, whose ends extend considerably beyond the box sections and provide anchorage for structure hereinafter described'. They are secured, adjacenttheir midportions, to portions Vof peripheral flanges 36a and 31a of the reinforcing pieces 3B and 31, respectively, and are secured, adjacent their ends, to. the lower end portions of depending frame members 35. They are thus held firmly in place.

Each of the supporting frame elements 38 and 3-9 is formed with a longitudinal, hollow body section having a longitudinal groove formed on theouter face of its outside wall,l see the grooves 38-L-I and 39-4, which provides a double trackway, and, further, is provided with a longitudinal, surface trackway, see the trackways 38--2 and 394-2. The longitudinal, surface trackway 38--2 is formed along the upper marginal edge portion of the outer face ofthe outside wall of the hollow body section of supporting frame element 38, and the surface trackway 39--2 is. formed along the lowermarginal edge portion of the outer facey ofthe outside wall of the Ahollow body section of supporting frame 'elementv 39.

Ai bracket enti member 38a extends at prefer ably right rangles from each end of supporting frameV element 38, and a bracket. end member 39a.-

extends at preferably right angles from each end ofsupporting frame element 33. The outer extremity'of each bracket end member isy drilled to receive the free end of the rod of a piston, Vsee the pistons 4'6' in 'the upper group and the The pistons 49 fit into and cooperate with the cylinders 24, and the pistons 4I rfit into `and cooperate with the cylinders 25, the pistons, in bothV instances, remaining stationary and the cylinders reciprocating back and forth along the length of the piston rods.

As aforesaid, the frame elements 26 carry the cylinders 24 and the frame elements 29 carry the cylinders 25.

Journaled on stub shafts which extend from the inner broad faces of frame elements 26 are rollers 44, a stub shaft and roller being placed at each endl of each cylinder, see particularly Fig. 1, thus supporting the offset weight of the cylinders. The rollers 44 fit into the grooves 38-l and run along the double-trackways there provided, longitudinally of the supporting frame elements 38, as the cylinders reciprocate. Since frame elements 26 reciprocate likewise, gates 22-l and 22--2 will, also, likewise reciprocate. The rollers may roll easily along the trackways, for the t is not snug.

For better supporting the weight of the cylinders 24, trackway strips 45 are suspended from hangers 45 in spaced side-by-side alignment with the longitudinal surface trackways 38-2 of the being placed to correspond with each end of each cylinder, see particularly Fig. 5. The rollers 41 are received by and run along the double trackways formed, as aforesaid, by the longitudinal surface trackways 38-2 andtrackway strips 45.

For insuring absolute synchrcnism of motion of the two oppositely disposed cylinders 24 operative on each gate of the set of gates 23, rack and pinion correlating mechanism is provided. A rack 48 is secured along the tops of each set of lugs 49, upstanding from the tops of each cylinder 24. A slender connecting shaft 59 extends between two laterally oppositely disposed racks 48, for each of the individual gates 23-I and 232, along the width of the gate. It is journaled adjacent its ends in journal boxes 5|, and has secured at its ends pinions 52 which mesh with the racks 48. Thus, the movement of oppositely disposed cylinders 24 of each set will be correlated at all times by the connecting shaft 50.

Since the set 22 of retractable gates must operate rapidly and smoothly under the burden of a considerable weight of material in the hopper I9, see Fig. 1, additional structure is provided for insuring smooth operation of the gates without the likelihood of sticking, during the opening and closing operations, because of misalignment. Accordingly, tie rods 53 are secured between related extended ends of supporting frame elements 38, connecting such related extended ends of the supporting frame elements together, see particularly Fig. 5. Journaled in spaced relationship on each of the tie rods 53 are guide sheaves 54.

Structural elements 55 are secured to the upper rear margins of the retractable gates 22-I and 22-2, providing anchorage for rearwardly extending tail pieces 56, which are formed and placed to engage the sheaves 54 and to travel therea'gainst during the of the gates. y

I Referring now to theA mechanism associated with the lower set of gates journaled 'on stub shafts which extend from the inner broad faces of frame elements 29 are rollers 51, see Fig. 2, there being a stub shaft and a roller positioned to correspond with each end of each cylinder-25.A The rollers 51 are received by and run alongthe double trackways provided by grooves 39-I of the sup-' porting frame elements 39. Journaled on stub shafts which extend downwardly from the bottom edge faces ofthe frame elements 29 are roll'-4 ers 58, a stub shaft and aroller beingplaced to correspond with each lend Vof each of the cylinders 25. The rollers 58 are received by and run against the longitudinal surface trackways 39-2 of supporting fran'ie elements 39.

Since the weight of material supported by the set 23 of retractable gates is considerably less than is supported by the set22 yof retractable gates, the cylinders 25 may be smaller than the cylinders' 24, and guide structure, corresponding to the sheaves 54 and tail pieces 56, is not needed.

For insuring synchronous movement between the cylinders 25'disposed at opposite lateral sides of the gates 23-I and 23-2, and, thus, smooth uniform movement for the gates themselves, rack and pinion coordinating mechanism similar to that above described in connection withthe upper group of cylinders 24, may beemployed. A rack 59 is secured at the lower ends of each set of lugs 60, see especially Fig. l, which depend from the bottoms of each ofthe cylinders 25. A slender connecting shaft 6| extends between two laterally oppositely disposed racks 59, for each of the individual gates 23-1 and 23-2, along the width of the gate. It is journaled adjacent its end in journal boxes 62 which are secured to supporting frame elements 39.V Pinions `63 are secured to the ends of each slender shaft 6|, and mesh with the oppositely disposed racks 59.

The 'upper and lower supporting frame elements 38 and 39, respectively, maybe tied together by tie rods 64 for the sake of greater rigidity. 1' I It is contemplated that the cylinders will be motivated by compressed air. In Fig'. fipwhere a cylinder 24 is arbitrarily selected as' representative and illustrated in detail, pipelines 65, for carrying compressed air to and exhausting it from the respective cylinders, connect with the cylinder at opposite ends thereof. The inflow and outflow of compressed air to and from the cylinder may be controlled by any type of well known valve mechanism (not illustrated). Since there is nothing novel in the arrangement of pipe lines for conducting compressed air to the cylinders, no showing thereof is made in .the'other ngures of the drawings.

Secured to the slotted walls of box section l5, between the slots thereof, are reinforcing pieces 65, see particularly Fig. l. The lower edge of each reinforcing piece 66 is so located with respect to the upper surface of its respective individual gate of the set 23 of retractable gates, as

to act as a scraper, cleaning the upper surf-aceY of the gate during the outward movement thereof.

For the same cleaning purpose, the individual gates of the set 22 of retractable gates are positioned with their upper surfaces -substantially contiguous to the upper defining edges of the slots through which they move, see especially Fig. 1.

In the operation of the apparatus as thus far reciprocative movement" described, supply of compressed air to and the exhaustion of same from the respective cylinders 24 and-25 are controlled in such manner that when the upper gatesv 22-I and 2-2-2 are open, the lower gates 23-I and 23-2 are closed, thus nlling the, measuring chamber II with` material from the 'hopper I0. Closure of upper gates 22K-I and 22-2 isolates the material in measuring chamber It from the Amass of material Vin the hopper; When lower gates 23Iy and 232= are subsequently opened, the isolated predetermined quantity of materialiny measuring chamber I I falls. freely through distributing chute I2. As has been pointed out previously herein, the rapid opening-.of lower gates 23-I and 23-2, as accomplished by the air cylinders 2i-releases the predetermined 'quantity' of material in measuring..

chamber I I almost'simultaneouslmand allows it to fall, substantially as a unit, throughout the entire cross sectional area of the distributing chute I2 and down past the diversion baiiles I3.

As aforestated, the diversion bailles I3 comprise, in the illustrated embodiment, an upper set I3a, and a set I3b spaced apart downwardly therefrom and extending transversely thereacross.

Each of the baies in both the upper and lower sets is preferably of elongated plate form, adjustable in width, and comprisesparallel, overlapping plate sections |3-I and I3-2 adjustably secured together, as, for instance, by bolts I3-3 extendingthrough theY usual type of elongated adjustment slot formed preferably in the plate against which thenut fabutsi. e., plate I3-v-I. The baiiles are secured .to shafts I3-4 which extend between oppositewalls of the box sections I'I and I9, and are journaled-therein.`

For adjusting the positions of the individual bailies relative to one another, the shafts I3-II extend through land beyond the walls of the box sections II and I9, and have mounted thereon bifurcated arms 6T, see particularly Fig. 3. Slotted strips 68, are secured to the outer-faces of side walls of box sections I1 and I9 in such manner 4as to receive the oatingbolt and nut assemblies 69 and to kenable 'them to cooperate with .the bifurcated ends of arms 61. in locking the respective bailles in any desired position, within certain angularlimits.

The setting of` the bailles in any particular instance of use of theapparatus predetermines the ultimate placement ofthe predetermined mass of material falli-ng through distributing chamber I2. Thev bailles `divert the failing material into predetermined placement in the mold box 2|-, as can be clearly seen from Figs, 1 and 6;

Itis advantageous that provision be made for rapid' positioning andremoval of the mold loo-X under and from the discharge end of the distributing chutev I2. A Series' of rollers 'I0 journaled within vsuitable bracket supports 'II provides a roadway for easily accomplishing the above. The mold box may rest upon a supporting sheet I2 for transportation purposes if desired- While a particular embodiment of appa-natus is here specically illustrated and described as representative of what might be [constructed pursuant to the inventive concepts taught herein, it is intended that the `generic scope of the invention as setk forth herein and in the claims that here follow, shall Ycover many other particular embodiments which may well occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. In combination, an enclosed substantially vertical chute having 'considerable height and an open bottom, retractable dump means disposed at the upper end of said chute, said dump means bein-g formed of sections which meet at substantially the center of the horizontal crosssectional area of said chute and Iare arranged to be retractable therefrom, thereby dumping substantially uniformly over the said cross-sectional area of the chute, la plurality of bailie plates pivotally mounted upon individual pivot-s, Ywithin said chute adjacent the lower end .thereof for divertingV certain portions of dumped material as said material falls through the chute, means for moving said plates about said pivots to vary the angularity of the plates relative to each other, means for locking sa'icl plates in the desired position, means ior depositing a layer of material substantially uniformly over said retractable dump means, and means for simultaneously and rapidly retra-cting, and for simultaneously and rapidly returning, the said sections of said retractable dump means.

2. In combination, ran enclosed, substantially vertical chute having considerable height andr an open bottom, a pair of substantially horizontally disposed, oppositely retractable plates, operable as dump gates, and disposed at the upper end of said chute, said pair of oppositely retractable plates being arranged to meet along a substanr tially rectilinear line which substantially bisects the horizontal cross-sectional area of |said chute, 4a plurality of. baiile plates mounted upon individual pivots -for adjustably varying the angularity of the plates relative to one Ianother, means for locking said plates in. adjusted position, said plates being'disposed Within said chute adjacent the lower end thereof for diverting certain portions oi dumped `materia-l las said 'material falls through the chute, means for depositing a layer of material substantially uniformly over said retractable plates, and means for simultaneously and rapidly retracting, and for simultaneously and rapidly returning, said retractable plates.

WILLIAM E. S. STRONG. 

